STOCKHOLM: Sweden is planning to introduce stricter rules for foreigners seeking citizenship, including longer residency requirements and mandatory language and financial criteria, officials have announced.
According to foreign media reports, Sweden’s Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell, said the government intends to tighten existing laws to ensure citizenship reflects stronger integration into Swedish society.
Under the proposed changes, applicants will be required to demonstrate a law-abiding lifestyle, meet financial requirements, and pass language and civic knowledge tests. The minimum residency period before applying for citizenship is expected to increase from five years to eight years.
Forssell stated that obtaining Swedish citizenship is currently “too easy” and should carry greater meaning than the present legal requirements. He said that at the moment, it is possible to gain citizenship after five years of residence without knowing the Swedish language, understanding society, or having any income.
Referring to a recent high-profile case reported in the media, he said that under the current system, a person could even become a citizen while being detained on murder charges. He added that this sends the wrong message to individuals who follow the rules to obtain citizenship and to those who are already Swedish citizens.
Reports indicate that if parliament approves the proposal, the new rules could come into effect on June 6, Sweden’s National Day. The regulations may also apply to applications that are currently under review.
Under the proposed framework, individuals with criminal records in Sweden or their home countries — including those who have already served their sentences — may have to wait up to 17 years before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.
The move signals a tougher immigration stance as Sweden seeks to strengthen integration standards and tighten control over naturalization policies.